Say What?????
OK - I was in the middle of writing a response to this story when my Google Alert kicked in.
Rather than responding myself, I will let Brian (from the 9th Circle) have the honors.
Brian is right - Spencer's opponent, Jason Chaffetz had the right answer to this.
I would say that is about as spot on as you can get! Bravo.
About all I can add is a challenge to this comment.
Here is my challenge to Bennion Spencer. If you REALLY believe this and you are not just saying what you know the people want to here, pledge today that your first action as Congressman would be to sign the discharge petition allowing the American Energy Act to come to the House floor for debate and a vote. Put your name and your word in writing - tell us that your first act as a Freshman congressman will be to defy the Speaker of the House.
I have to admit, seeing this kind of serious story about religion in the daily paper is going to take some getting used to. You see, any time religion is mentioned in the Minneapolis Star Tribune it is either because the author is mocking religion or someone who claims to be religious had broken the law and was thus representative of ALL religious people....
If Bennion Spencer wasn't the Democratic candidate in Utah's 3rd Congressional District, he'd be working on publishing a book he wrote about how Jesus might vote - and he recently said he thinks the son of God would vote for him.
"I think he would," Spencer told The Tribune, although he later backed away and said he couldn't say for sure how Jesus would vote.
Rather than responding myself, I will let Brian (from the 9th Circle) have the honors.
Every so often, a candidate says something so dumb, so conceited, and so self-righteous, you have to question their grip on reality.
Bennion Spencer just had one of those moments...Sorry, Bennion, but I'll leave saying who Jesus would vote for to...Jesus.Can we all just agree, right here, right now, that any candidate using this sort of rhetoric is disqualified from our support? Because I can tell you one of the following is true about Mr. Spencer:1. Bennion is so religiously inclined, he doesn't even realize how silly these remarks are, and is thus unqualified to serve.2. Bennion is literally off-his rocker, and thus, unqualified to serve.
Brian is right - Spencer's opponent, Jason Chaffetz had the right answer to this.
"I believe there is a proper role of religion in our society and we ought to promote that and not run away from it, but I don't think it's appropriate to guess which candidate Jesus Christ would support. That's sacrilegious to me."
I would say that is about as spot on as you can get! Bravo.
About all I can add is a challenge to this comment.
Spencer said energy is the top issue in this election, and he supports drilling for more oil. Spencer was converted to supporting oil shale development after discussions with Cannon, and thinks the United States needs an aggressive policy on renewable energy. It will take all of those pieces together, he said, but the country has the resources.
"We have everything we need to survive this energy crisis from God," he said.
Here is my challenge to Bennion Spencer. If you REALLY believe this and you are not just saying what you know the people want to here, pledge today that your first action as Congressman would be to sign the discharge petition allowing the American Energy Act to come to the House floor for debate and a vote. Put your name and your word in writing - tell us that your first act as a Freshman congressman will be to defy the Speaker of the House.
I have to admit, seeing this kind of serious story about religion in the daily paper is going to take some getting used to. You see, any time religion is mentioned in the Minneapolis Star Tribune it is either because the author is mocking religion or someone who claims to be religious had broken the law and was thus representative of ALL religious people....
Labels: #dontgo, Jason Chaffetz
posted by The Lady Logician at
10:45 PM
10 Comments:
Spencer supports oil shale?!
By
Cameron, at 9:51 AM
I think every candidate should strive to be someone Jesus would vote for.
It was a really stupid comment for a candidate to make, as it can be used to make you look weird. But still, if you don't think your God approves of your stances, then why should I?
By
Cameron, at 9:55 AM
I share your confusion Cameron. After all that goes against his position statements on his website. While I am perfectly happy to welcome him to the fold, I suspect that he is doing just what Speaker Pelosi suggested to her people once the energy issue started getting legs....tell the voters what they want to hear on energy in order to get elected.
LL
By
The Lady Logician, at 9:57 AM
"It was a really stupid comment for a candidate to make, as it can be used to make you look weird."
Cameron - I came from a state where that was done on a regular basis. The Star Tribune's staff had a definite animus toward religious people and looked for every opportunity to paint them as clinic bombing whackos intent on establishing a theocracy here in the US. That is one reason why I said seeing this kind of story in the paper was going to take some getting used to.
Back in Minnesota I campaigned for a local politician who was the kindest most decent person I had ever met. He let his Christian training and beliefs shine through his actions. Rarely did he talk about "my faith says I must do X". He is the light and salt that Christ talks about. That is what Christian politicians should be. Those that just talk about it remind me of the Pharisees of old and it tends to put me off more than a little bit.
LL
By
The Lady Logician, at 10:06 AM
I understand all of the contention over the comment made, but to be true to fact, have you seen Chaffetz's immigration "policy"? Tent cities? Immediate deportation even if it breaks up families? Promotion of xenophobic attitudes toward our (also Christian) neighbors to the south?
I think Bennion is right.
By
Jason The, at 11:16 AM
Jason - have you ever been to Mexico and Central America and traveled OUTSIDE of the tourist zones? A tent city is a 100% improvement compared to what many of these folks have back home. I have a friend who is on his mission to Guatemala and when he does get the odd opportunity to send out emails he tells tails of abject poverty that would curl your hair! Many of the people that he is serving down there would dearly love to have a tent over their head! Giving them that would be (in their minds) the ultimate act of kindness. It's all about the perspective that you are coming from.
That said, we are still a nation of laws. You can not (as an American citizen) go to Mexico illegally and open bank accounts and buy property and demand the right to vote in their elections. Illegal immigrants in Mexico are thrown in jail where they have a whole lot less. Why is it ok for them and not ok for us to enforce our immigration laws?
LL
By
The Lady Logician, at 11:40 AM
Bennion Spencer was responding to a question asked by a journalist. Your outrage is misplaced. Blame the hack that asked the question, not the candidate who responded. People please! Get the whole story before you make a fool of yourself like this. So many uncredible blogs out there because of this shoddy research.
By
Anonymous, at 3:46 PM
Outsider POV here.
Living in the People's Republic of Minnesota I know whereof the Lady speaks as regards the Star Tribune's antipathy towards religion.
I also know many devout Christians who are liberal to their core. Spenser backed off the original assumption of divine endorsement, and that's a good thing. The only question I would have is was this an ill-informed attempt to pander to the electorate of a very religious state?
Rhetoric is the language of politics. As the New Messiah, Barack the One has proven repeatedly, it's not as easy as one would think.
By
Kermit, at 4:09 PM
Anon - yes he was answering a question but a SMART person (much less a smart politician) would have not given the answer that he did. A smart politician would have said "I'll let Jesus speak for himself" or "I believe there is a proper role of religion in our society and we ought to promote that and not run away from it, but I don't think it's appropriate to guess which candidate Jesus Christ would support." kinda like Jason Chaffetz did.
It is not "shoddy research" it is a matter of smart politics and COMMON SENSE - perhaps you have heard of it?
LL
By
The Lady Logician, at 7:01 PM
Anon,
I agree with LL. One should never answer a question like that in the affirmative. A much better response would have been, "I'm having dinner with him at 7 tonight. Would you like to ask him?"
;-)
By
Frank Staheli, at 1:09 PM
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